'A Cuppa With' is F&E's ongoing Q&A series with women we admire. Pour yourself a cuppa and join us!
'A CUPPA WITH' VICKY CHARLES
Meet Vicky, Founder of Charles & Co
Interior Designer of Frank & Eileen’s Madison Avenue Flagship
'A CUPPA WITH' ERIN POLLARD
Meet Erin, Founder of Underwater Weaving.
ESHA SONI
Founder and Creative Director of ESHA SONI
"After working for years in the fast-paced fashion industry, I felt the need to pause, slow down, and really listen to my instincts."
GABY DALKIN
Author, Chef, and Founder of What's Gaby Cooking, Dalkin&Co and Gaby's Restaurant.
"The most rewarding part is knowing that the recipes and content are actually helping people feel more confident in the kitchen."
MADISON HARVEY
Frank & Eileen MBA Scholar at Stanford Graduate School of Business
"As a woman in business, I’ve found that leading with empathy is one of my greatest strengths. It creates space for honest discussion and helps teams move forward in a more collaborative way."
STEPHANIE LIU HJELMESETH
Digital Creator, Founder of Suá Superette
"I witnessed firsthand the dedication my parents poured into every dish and interaction. Their commitment to authenticity and community laid the foundation for my understanding of hospitality."
ARIEL KAYE
Founder of Parachute, Author
"I think the home, much like our clothing, is a deeply personal experience and can be such a fun way to express yourself."
CAROLINA MIRANDA
Founder, Cultivating Capital
"For me, a big part of sustainability is living simply. Every single item that we use and have in our homes consumes natural resources–so how much stuff do we really need?"
CHELSEY BARTRUM
Founder, Gemologist, Designer of Starling Jewelry
"My “why” is our clients and the art of creating. Working with them on meaningful pieces, hearing their stories, and knowing what we craft will be cherished for years to come—that’s what keeps me going."
SARAH SOLIS
Founder and Principal of Sarah Solis Design Studio
"As people seek more meaning and balance in their environments, I see a rising emphasis on sustainable materials, craftsmanship, and a slower, more thoughtful approach to design."
BRANDI SELLERZ-JACKSON
Author, Life Doula
"Thriving means gathering both the small and the significant, holding each with the same love, tenderness, and value it deserves. It all matters."
LAURA GILSTRAP OWENS
Frank & Eileen Fellow at MIT Sloan School of Management, MBA Candidate '25
"I care about issues that impact consumers within financial technology, like ensuring machine learning models are more transparent and trustworthy, protecting vulnerable populations against fraud, and creating delightful commerce experiences."
MONELLE TOTAH
Owner and Founder of Hudson Grace
"After seeing the artistry in European ceramics, fabrics and so on, it came quite naturally to build a brand based on items that we found that were unlike anything else we had seen in the marketplace."
LIZZY MATHIS
Executive Producer, Founder of The Cool Mom Co.
"I watched my mother and grandmother serve love on a plate throughout my childhood, and it brings me so much joy to do the same for the people I love and to share those recipes with the world."
ALEX YESKE
Founder of Alex Yeske Interiors
"I do a ton of antiquing, visiting estate sales and flea markets, which really shows through the curation of objects and pieces throughout our home."
LIZ EICHHOLZ & LINDSEY JOHNSON
Co-Founders of Weezie Towels
"Before we knew it, we were ideating on a brand of towels that bring both luxury and joy into one’s home."
CAROLINE HARPER KNAPP
Interior Designer, Content Creator, Founder of HOUSE of Harper
"I think the biggest change since starting my blog has been the evolution of the industry itself."
ARTIERA HICKMAN
Founder and CEO of Curl of Art
"My main goal when creating Curl of Art was to encourage women and children to embrace their natural textures."
IRENE CHEN
Founder of Parker Thatch
"Our mission is to help folks find and express their self-confidence, making each piece highly personal and unique to each person."
AMBER LEWIS
Principal Designer and Founder of Amber Interior Design and Shoppe Amber Interiors
"I love bringing unique elements, materials, and details that I discover to create a lived-in, approachable, but elevated space."
LIZZIE MEANS DUPLANTIS & SARAH MEANS
Co-Founders of Miron Crosby
"As ranch kids, we were raised in boots, and when we both moved to NYC after school, we wanted cowboy boots that were more fashion-forward and contemporary."
MEREDITH PECK
Creative Director, Co-Founder of oo-mi
"The beauty of vintage, worn, and aged clothing lies in the story that it carries. That feeling of a piece that fits your body perfectly is how I know it's the one."
LEANNE CITRONE
Recipe Developer, Founder of UDEA Wellness
"We really believe that taking the time to nourish yourself is a powerful act of self-love."
SUSIE MATHESON & CHRISTY FORD
Co-Founders of The Scout Guide
"Who needs big cities when we have the best local business owners and artisans front and center in the smaller cities we scout."
STEPHANIE SUMMERSON HALL
Founder and CEO of Estelle Colored Glass
"My grandmother instilled in me the importance of curating beautiful and unique pieces that make entertaining exciting and memorable for guests."
SHUBHANGI RANA
Frank & Eileen Fellow at MIT Sloan School of Management '24
"I firmly believe that it's integral for businesses to have a societal and environmental impact as part of their business strategy."
SHARON MROZINSKI
Designer, Antique Dealer, Co-Owner of Marston House
"I trust my heart completely and never question it. If I’m not in love with something, I don’t buy it, and I’ve always been intuitive to my own particular needs."
CRISTINA PALOMO NELSON & MEGAN PAPAY
Co-Founders of FRĒDA SALVADOR
"We met while working on the design team for another footwear company and would often travel to Italy together for work, spending long dinners with (too much) wine, dreaming of FRĒDA."
JORDAN SHAW
Innkeeper, Chef, Co-Owner of Seven Lakes Inn
"If you want something badly enough, you will make it happen, but getting clear about your reason for committing to that next big move will make stepping out of your comfort zone a little less scary."
KATE FLYNN
Founder and CEO of Sun & Swell
"As a consultant in the food industry, I was always at the office or on the road and consistently found myself looking for simple, healthy, sustainable snacks to fuel me throughout the day—but I could never find any."
ELLEN MARIE BENNETT
Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Hedley & Bennett
"To get something started, you have to use your imagination, but for a business to really evolve, you also need to rely on facts and data to support the work."
MARJORIE TAYLOR & KENDALL SMITH FRANCHINI
Co-Founders of The Cook's Atelier
"We jumped feet-first into founding The Cook’s Atelier in 2008 with the intention of creating a special place that supports the connection between the farmer and the cook."
DOMINIQUE MILES
MBA Candidate at Babson College, F&E Scholarship Recipient
"My hope, both during my MBA and after, is to continue to extend conversations and demystify industries for folks who simply haven’t been exposed."
CAITLIN FLEMMING
Founder of Caitlin Flemming Design
"After working for a designer for a year, I made the leap and started my own firm. I have loved every minute of the adventures of design."
CARLY BLUMBERG
Designer and Founder of Carly Home
"I got into design because an environment can transform a person's life. It can inspire and create happiness, which has always been compelling to me."
WHITNEY LEIGH MORRIS
Small Space Consultant and Designer
"I’m interested in so many creative fields — from photography and editing, to writing, to designing — that I wanted a profession that allowed me to explore all those interests daily."
JOHANNA VENTE & FIONA BURR
Co-Founders of Saffron + Poe, Interior Designers
"For us, having a very compatible friendship and a strong partnership was key. It is so helpful to have someone as invested in the business as you are to bounce ideas, divide and conquer with."
GEN SOHR
Founder of Pencil & Paper Co.
"Surround yourself with women who will build you up, mentor you, challenge you, and be there to celebrate the wins and help soften the losses."
VALERIE RICE
Cookbook Author, Master Gardener, Entertaining Expert
"As my daughters have gotten older, I’ve been able to explore new career challenges. You must be willing to try different things until you find the one that works best."
APRIL GARGIULO
Founder of Vintner's Daughter
"I wanted to build a true luxury skincare company that made products from the finest ingredients in the world."
AUDREY MCLOGHLIN
Founder and CEO of Frank & Eileen
"When I started Frank & Eileen, I put my head down and focused on building the kind of company and brand that I wanted to see in the world. It was a long, slow, organic build with no investors."